The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Toyota Honors The Entertainment Industry's Voice for Road Safety--RADD with 2014 Prius at San Diego Conference


toyota prius (select to view enlarged photo)
2013 Toyota Prius

SAN DIEGO--August 30, 2013: RADD, "The Entertainment Industry's Voice for Road Safety," was honored by Toyota Motor Sales USA during a luncheon hosted by the automaker at the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) Conference. Toyota commended RADD and announced the donation of a "wrapped" 2014 Toyota Prius C to join the 2012 RADD Scion xB that has logged 29,000 miles promoting the use of sober designated drivers and cabs, as part of RADD's drunk driving prevention efforts across 19 colleges throughout California.

“Toyota is dedicated to supporting RADD's efforts to help college students develop responsible driving habits that will help them remain safe on the road”

Erin Meluso, President of RADD, states that, "Alcohol-involved crashes among young adults are a tragic, senseless waste because they are entirely preventable. With a little planning before going out - such as designating a sober driver or agreeing to take a cab home ญญ- lives can literally be saved."

RADD is in its fourth year of the California College DUI Awareness Project. Conducted in partnership with UC Irvine's Health Education Center and funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the statewide project is active on 19 participating college campuses with an impressive combined enrollment of 462,000 students, to promote alcohol-free driving through RADD's Designated Driver Rewards Program.

"Toyota is dedicated to supporting RADD's efforts to help college students develop responsible driving habits that will help them remain safe on the road," states Michael Rouse, Toyota's Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Affairs. "Since our first alliance with RADD in 2009, we have remained committed to their goal of saving lives through community outreach and awareness."

When Toyota delivers the new "RADD Prius C" to RADD this winter, it will join the current brightly wrapped 2012 Scion xB RADD Car that has participated in interactive events to promote the awareness of sober driving on California college campuses from Sacramento to San Diego.

RADD, "The Entertainment Industry's Voice for Road Safety," (formally known as Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving), is an internationally recognized non-profit organization that empowers media partners, celebrities and socially conscious supporters to create positive and attitudes about road safety and promote risk-intervention strategies to avoid impaired driving. Incorporated in 1986 as a 501 (c3) nonprofit, RADD delivers messages that are non-judgmental and positive. Best known for the "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" campaign, RADD is a proud two-time recipient of the U.S. Department of Transportation's prestigious Public Service Award and a Governors Highway Safety Association award honoree.